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ORTHODOX OBSERVER
OCTOBER 2000
Archbishop Shares Faith, Hope, Love with Phoenix Faithful PHOENIX I came to see the accomplishments of others. This is how Archbishop Demetrios responded to a television reporter upon arriving in Phoenix on Sept. 15. The reporter asked him what he hoped to accomplish during his visit to Phoenix and, in his loving and humble form, the Archbishop deflected the attention from himself and cast the spotlight on his flock. by Kristen Bruskas*
In explaining the Gospel reading that included Mark 8:34 Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me the Archbishop stated, What is the way of Christ? It is a way of love. It is a way of offering. It s a way of caring for people. It s a way of truth. It s a way of justice. It s a way of purity. It s a way of being changed according to the image and likeness of God for which we have been created.
On behalf of Holy Trinity Cathedral, Fr. Theo presented His Eminence with a $30,000 check for the seminary. Fr. Theo addressed the Archbishop saying, Thank you for your love and faith that permeates the room. Thank you so much for bringing peace to the church. The church was not what it should have been when you took the helm. We pray that God will continue to bless you. The crowd cheered enthusiastically, strongly echoing Father Theo s sentiments. The Archbishop, noticeably overwhelmed by the generosity of the people offered his thanks several times and stated: I must tell you, it s something overwhelming this type of community, this type of reception. This whole Phoenix visit has been a most remarkable thing.
It was a bright and sunny Friday afternoon in Phoenix when the Archbishop s America West flight landed at Sky Honored parishioners Harbor International AirArchbishop Demetrios port. As he entered the also took time to honor two terminal, a crowd of more very dedicated parishioners than 70 greeted him, inof Holy Trinity Cathedral cluding Metropolitan Anwhile in Phoenix. He thony, presiding hierarch awarded parish council of San Francisco, who led President Chris Ganos and a delegation of clergy, G. Mastorakos dedicated parish volunteer Monastery visit children, and other faithBette Maniatis with the James Contes, age 5, presents flowers to Following the brunch, His ful Greek Orthodox ChrisMedal of St. Paul in recog- Archbishop Demetrios at the airport. Eminence traveled through the tians to greet their spirinition of their outstanding efforts. tual leader; among them Mr. Ganos has served the church the elder Ephraim and for many years, offering his leadership Fr. Paisios from St. Anon the parish council, and also his prothony Monastery in Flofessional architectural skills to many rence, Ariz. G. Mastorakos projects in the Diocese. The Archbishop be- Metropolitan Anthony escorts Archbishop Miss Maniatis has spent several gan his journey at Demetrios from the airplane. years ministering to the elderly, shutKennedy Airport in New York where he had been met by Captain Mike Dellas of ins and those who are ill or alone. She spends America West Airlines, a Holy Trinity Cathedral member, countless hours each day unselfishly assisting who changed his schedule so he could pilot the parishioners in any way necessary. A brunch attended by more than 600 in honor Archbishop s flight to Phoenix. On the plane, the captain brought the Archbishop into of the Archbishop s first-ever trip to Phoenix and the cockpit, introduced the crew, and asked him to bless the plane. The evening of his arrival, Milton and Harriet Sioles hosted a private dinner at Paradise Valley Country Club for the Archbishop attended by 15 perK. Bruskas sons, including MetropoliChildren from the parish brought flowers to airport to present to the tan Anthony and Holy Archbishop upon his arrival Trinity Cathedral s clergy desert to St. Anthony Monastery where he visited with the more the Revs. Theo Anastas than 20 resident monks, and also met more Phoenix and Tucsonand Timothy Pavlatos, area Orthodox faithful. along with Presbyteres His visit included a short prayer service in the chapel of St. Helen and Vicki. Anthony, as well as a visit to the smaller chapel of St. Demetrios Mr. Sioles, an Archon where he venerated the relic of his patron saint. and member of Leadership He toured the entire complex and ate dinner with the monks 100 and the Archdiocesan and guests. The Archbishop was presented with several gifts, inCouncil, earlier this year cluding an icon of Panagia Arizonitissa. contributed an additional * Kristen Bruskas served as chairman for the three-day visit of E. Siatras $100,000 for Archbishop Archbishop Demetrios and Fr. Paisios, abbot of St. Anthony’s Monastery enter the gates the Archbishop to Phoenix. She is also the cathedral choir director, Demetrios membership to of the monastery. and is the San Francisco Diocese Church Music Federation president. the endowment fund. to Arizona followed the Divine Liturgy. A trip north Mary Louise Theodoropoulos, the PhilopSaturday, the Archbishop journeyed through northern tochos chapter president, presented the ArchArizona to the Grand Canyon. Passing through the region of the red rocks of Sedona and the cool pines of Flagstaff, bishop with a signed lithograph of the Grand the Archbishop arrived at the majestic canyon where he Canyon. Other presentations were made by his enjoyed some quiet and reflective moments, admiring with former students: Fr. Phil Armstrong (St. all humility one of God s noblest creations. Returning to the warmth of Paradise Valley, the Arch- Katherine Chandler, Ariz.), Fr. Michael Pallad bishop again enjoyed a private dinner at the Arizona (St. Haralambos Peoria, Ariz.), and Fr. Andrew Country Club; hosted by prominent parishioners George Barakos (Assumption Scottsdale, Ariz.). The Archbishop referred to the younger clergy and Stephanie Kokalis. present as an elite group of students, all of them. At the Archbishop s 1999 enthronement, Mr. Kokalis, President Ganos presented the Archbishop who at the time was national chairman of the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund, had invited with a handmade sterling silver and turquoise and strongly encouraged the Archbishop to visit Holy Trin- Navajo pectoral cross as a symbol of the southwest and Native American cultures so prominent ity Cathedral. His Eminence greeted all 30 guests at the dinner and in Arizona. spoke about the splendor of his day and beauty and diGift to Holy Cross versity of the terrain throughout the state. The final presentation for the day came from Sunday morning brought about the long-awaited op- Fr. Anastas. The parish, recognizing the tremenportunity for more than 900 faithful to worship with the dous needs of Hellenic College/Holy Cross Archbishop during the Divine Liturgy. His Eminence de- School of Theology, planned a more aggressive scribed the day as a Sunday filled with sunshine and joy fund-raising approach instead of just passing a and peace and love because during this time that I am special collection on the Sunday following the Archbishop Demetrios, with Holy Trinity Cathedral Parish Council Vice here I have been a constant recipient of wonderful things feast day of the Holy Cross, which just happened President Peter Bilitsis (L), and George P. Kokalis, visit the Grand Canyon – coming from you. to coincide with the Archbishop s visit. one of the most remarkable creations in the world.